Trailer Park Thursday: The Moon in the Mango Tree

This week's Trailer Park Spotlight is Pamela Ewen's The Moon in the Mango Tree.

Christianbook.com Synopsis: Set in Siam and Europe during the 1920s, the glittering decade of change, The Moon In The Mango Tree is based upon the true story of Barbara Bond, a beautiful young ex-patriot and opera singer from Philadelphia who is forced to choose between her fierce desire for independence-a desire to create something of her own to give purpose and meaning to her life-and a deep abiding love for her faithful missionary husband whose work seems to create a gap between them. But when you choose between two things you love, must one be lost forever?

Spring Book Break 08: Jane Kilpatrick Giveaway

It's time for our spring book break. This is the time when I introduce our summer reading challenge to you, guys. Between now and Memorial Day nominate one book you would like for us to read this summer. I want to setup a meetup for you who stay near each other to hang out together. I'll setup one here in conjunction with my new summer reading series. Stay tuned it's going to fabulouso! So if you're an Atlanta based Christian recording artist, poet, published author, dancer, hit me up. If you have a coffeehouse, outhouse, baby mama house you would like to host the reader series, slap me twice. We're doing it in South East Atlanta instead of North Atlanta this year. Holla.

In the meantime, while the pollen count is high, the nights are still cool and we're planning Memorial Day barbeques and movie go sees, lets take a book break. A Spring Book Break. I have a great series(three books) that could satisfy your need. And two books to giveaway to get this book break started.

CFB's Spring Book Break 08 Pick: The Change and Cherish series, a historical

I chose this series, because Jane was nice enough to do the book giveaway :), but most importantly I get to use a little German. I'm a bit a rusty, so...What I also love his the way Jane writes. Here's a taste of of A Tendering in the Storm...

That was what was missing of course: I'd stopped praising, stopped praying, and so I was hungry all the time, never satisfied. Now in my night watch I didn't feel like meditating. I only knew the shadow and not the sun.

Gorgeous writing. Her prose is clean and romantic and sweeping and spirit filled. I've learned something today.

Author: Jane Kirkpatrick

Summary: The Change and Cherish series follows the story of feisty Emma Giesy

A Clearing in the Wild

Spirited young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of her 1850s religious community, which values conformity over independent thought, especially in women. Skeptical of the colony’s growing emphasis on preparing for “the last days,” Emma clashes with their increasingly autocratic leader—and faces the unexpected consequences of pursuing independence.

A Tendering in the Storm

This lyrical novel, based on an historical figure of the 1800s, follows the spirited and intelligent Emma Giesy, who achieves her goal of separating her family from the repressive religious community in which she grew up. But unexpected and dire consequences leave her family—and her faith—struggling to survive.

A Mending at the Edge (newest and the giveaway book!)

This richly textured novel, the third in the acclaimed Change and Cherish series, follows the historical figure of Emma Wagner Giesy, who chafes under the restrictions of her 1860s religious colony. When her bid to belong in her unique way unravels her most precious relationships, she seeks new ways to stitch meaning into her life.

To enter to win Mending at the Edge, you must nominate a book for the summer reading challenge, I will announce the winner to this day May 9, so you can receive it before Memorial Day. You will love these books. I tell you.

Review: Somewhat Saved

Inspirational, African American Romantic Comedy
Somewhat Saved
Pat G’Orge-Walker

Summary: Mother Sarah Shady and Sasha Pray Onn's, the feisty Mother Board leaders of Ain't Nobody Saved But Us--All Others Going to Hell church believe God's favor shines only on them. But when the new pastor[Leotis Walker] takes the helms of the church the Mother Board becomes disheveled. Instead of sending Sarah and Sasha he sends Sister Betty, Pelzer's moral compass. All learn an important lesson about themselves and their faith.

Zipoorah Moses[Sister Sasha's niece], was homeless and dejected by a two-bit hustler when Chandler Lamb[Sister Betty's godson] hires her as a casino cocktail waitress. Zipporah needs this job or she's back on the streets, but she can't control her growing attraction to her boss. (Dafina, April, 288pp., $22.00)

Read full review and rating in Romantic Times Magazine at newstands now.

Why Fiction Matters: Bynum on Divorce Court

We writers spend months trying to come up with compelling fiction to write about. Yet we are often trumped by sad and weird reality. Televangelist Juanita Bynum will be on television... this time on Divorce Court? Please explain this to me...

Any writing prompts from this one? I feel a new Law & Order episode in the near future.

Earth Day: Handmade Books & Byzantine Bling

In College I fell in love with two things: The Byzantine Era Illuminated Bibles and Artists books. One day the Lord will bless me with another digital camera and I will show the books I've made. I'm currently building a mockup of an African-American girls Bible stories book for Selah. By the time I'm done she'll be a tween. This thing is hard. Until then--in honor of Earth Day I want to showcase some nice spots I found devoted to book arts.

To my write is an illuminated page of Saint Mark writing his Gospel. Real gold is inked on those pages. Bling, bling!

The one below is a book made from discarded blue jeans. Love the pocket. The artist is Farkkukirja

Also of note: A Children's handsewn book: Why Am I Christian?

We talk often about writing books, but can you imagine the craftsmanship it takes to build a book with your hand? It is a humbling experience I encourage you to do. Handsewn books are great gifts.

Off Topic: Writer, Brandon Satrom and I are chatting on Twitter about this question: When is it time to scrap a story and start over? Not abandon it but start fresh? Come twit with.

What's your answer?

Ted Dekker's CHOSEN

It's April 21st, time for the Teen FIRST blog tour!(Join our alliance! Click the button!) Every 21st, we will feature an author and his/her latest Teen fiction book's FIRST chapter!

Ted Dekker

and his book:

Chosen (The Lost Books, Book 1) (The Books of History Chronicles)

Thomas Nelson (January 1, 2008)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.

After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.

Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. To see a complete list of Dekker's work, visit The Works section of TedDekker.com.

Here are some of his latest titles:

Adam

Black: The Birth of Evil (The Circle Trilogy Graphic Novels, Book 1)

Saint

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:


beginnings

Our story begins in a world totally like our own, yet completely different. What once happened here in our own history seems to be repeating itself thousands of years from now,
some time beyond the year 4000 AD.

But this time the future belongs to those who see opportunity before it becomes obvious. To the young, to the warriors, to the lovers. To those who can follow hidden clues and find a great
treasure that will unlock the mysteries of life and wealth.

Thirteen years have passed since the lush, colored forests were turned to desert by Teeleh, the enemy of Elyon and the vilest of all creatures. Evil now rules the land and shows itself as a painful, scaly disease that covers the flesh of the Horde, a people who live in the desert.

The powerful green waters, once precious to Elyon, have vanished from the earth except in seven small forests surrounding seven small lakes. Those few who have chosen to follow the ways of Elyon now live in these forests, bathing once daily in the powerful waters to cleanse their skin of the disease.

The number of their sworn enemy, the Horde, has grown in thirteen years and, fearing the green waters above all else, these desert dwellers have sworn to wipe all traces of the forests from
the earth.

Only the Forest Guard stands in their way. Ten thousand elite fighters against an army of nearly four hundred thousand Horde. But the Forest Guard is starting to crumble.

one

Day One

Qurong, general of the Horde, stood on the tall dune five miles west of the green forest, ignoring the fly that buzzed around his left eye.

His flesh was nearly white, covered with a paste that kept his skin from itching too badly. His long hair was pulled back and woven into dreadlocks, then tucked beneath the leather body armor
cinched tightly around his massive chest.

"Do you think they know?" the young major beside him asked.

Qurong's milky white horse, chosen for its ability to blend with the desert, stamped and snorted.

The general spit to one side. "They know what we want them to know," he said. "That we are gathering for war. And that we will march from the east in four days."

"It seems risky," the major said. His right cheek twitched, sending three flies to flight.
"Their forces are half what they once were. As long as they think we are coming from the east, we will smother them from the west."

"The traitor insists that they are building their forces," the major said.

"With young pups!" Qurong scoffed.

"The young can be crafty."

"And I'm not? They know nothing about the traitor. This time we will kill them all."

Qurong turned back to the valley behind him. The tents of his third division, the largest of all Horde armies, which numbered well over three hundred thousand of the most experienced warriors, stretched out nearly as far as he could see.

"We march in four days," Qurong said. "We will slaughter them from the west."

Tyler Perry 26 More

FYI: The House of Payne was picked up for 26 more episodes, but the taping of these have yet to be scheduled. Who's watching? Do you think the show has gotten better? I do.

On another note: EW buzzes about Keshia Knight Pulliam's role as Candy, the prostitute in Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail the Movie. I didn't think the article was that noteworthy. Keshia has played many different roles since The Cosby Show. She wasn't squeaky clean in Queen Latifah's The Beauty Shop. What do you think? Who's seen Madea Goes to Jail the stageplay?